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IT SERVICESEMAILSMEs & Finance

Cold email sequence for web and IT technology — 4% response rate

4 steps over 28 days. 4 emails. 111 prospects contacted.

Charles Perret, founder of devlo

Charles Perret

Founder of devlo.ch · March 2026

111
Prospects contacted
4%
Open rate
4%
Response rate
N/A
Interested prospects

The 4 keys in the sequence

4 emails — over 28 days.

EmailDay 1Email #1
Subject: delays/hidden costs
A – Long version Hello {{salutation}} {{lastName}}, In French-speaking Switzerland, many companies such as {{companyName}} share their IT concerns with us: support tickets left pending for too long, unpredictable invoices, support that fails to respond promptly at critical moments, and so on. For {{testimony company}}, for example, these bottlenecks resulted in a loss of 3 to 4 days per month. Today, “{{clientCompanyName}} has been our trusted IT partner for years. They act as an outsourced IT department and offer exceptional reliability and service quality. ” These issues are not merely technical: they cause stress, slow down projects and lead to significant budget overruns. Does {{companyName}} ever face these same situations, or am I mistaken? Kind regards, {{accountSvignature}} Unsubscribe B - short version Hello {{salutation}} {{lastName}}, Many {{revisedjobtitle}} companies in French-speaking Switzerland within the {{revisedindustry}} sector report the same IT issues: Monthly bills that are difficult to predict Support tickets that remain pending for too long IT service providers who rely on unresponsive offshore support teams We are based in Geneva and offer fixed rates for proactive 24/7 monitoring. IT thus becomes a reliable ally rather than a source of endless frustration. Is {{companyName}} facing the same headaches? Or am I completely off the mark? Kind regards, {{accountSignature}} Unsubscribe
Email6 days laterEmail #2
Hello {{salutation}} {{lastName}}, More than {{amount}} companies in French-speaking Switzerland and some of your counterparts in Geneva have decided to try out our IT support. In concrete terms: {{testimonycompany}}: {{percentage}} availability, {{percentage}} shorter resolution times, {{amount}} security breaches. {{testimonycompany}}: FINMA infrastructure, {{percentage}} lower risk of phishing, {{amount}} security breaches. Would it be worthwhile for {{companyName}} to compare this with what your current provider offers? Kind regards, {{accountSignature}} Unsubscribe
Email7 days laterEmail #3
Subject: {% if Colleaguename1 != blank and Colleaguename2 != blank %} chat with {{ Colleaguename1 }} or {{ Colleaguename2 }}?{% elsif Colleaguename1 != blank %} chat with {{ Colleaguename1 }}?{% else %} chat with someone else at {{ companyName }}?{% endif %}
Hello {{salutation}} {{lastName}}, {% if Colleaguename1 != blank and Colleaguename2 != blank %} I’m not sure whether IT support falls under your responsibility or whether it’s actually the job of your colleagues {{Colleaguename1}} or {{Colleaguename2}}?{% elsif Colleaguename1 != blank %} I’m not sure whether IT support falls under your responsibility or whether it would be better for your colleague {{Colleaguename1}} to handle it?{% elsif Colleaguename2 != blank %} Are you unsure whether IT support falls under your responsibility or whether it would be better managed by your colleague {{Colleaguename2}}?{% else %} Are you unsure whether IT support falls under your responsibility or whether it is more the responsibility of another member of your team?{% endif %} Transparent costs, responsive local support and enhanced security: this is exactly what IT managers in French-speaking Switzerland are looking for when evaluating their IT outsourcing options. Could you put me in touch with your colleagues so they can form their own opinion? Kind regards {{accountSignature}} Unsubscribe
Email9 days laterEmail #4
Hello {{salutation}} {{lastName}}, This will be my final message. To put your mind at ease, we’re offering you a free audit of your infrastructure. Within 48 hours, you’ll receive a clear report on: your security vulnerabilities your inefficiencies your compliance risks Even if you decide to stay with your current provider, this audit will provide you with a useful roadmap. 👉 Would you like to book a slot in {{month}} for {{companyName}}? Kind regards, {{accountSignature}} Unsubscribe

Why this sequence works

111 prospects were contacted over a 28-day period using just four email messages. This minimalist campaign targets the finance and legal sectors in French-speaking Switzerland — markets where a straightforward approach to communication is valued.

The first email addresses the specific IT challenges faced by SMEs head-on: pending support tickets, unpredictable invoices, and unresponsive support. This ‘problem-first’ approach is particularly effective with business leaders who experience these frustrations on a daily basis but don’t have the time to look for alternatives.

The integrated customer testimonial (Touch #1) and performance metrics (Touch #2) gradually build trust. The offer of a free audit at Touch #4 (the ‘breakup email’) wins back hesitant prospects by removing any risk.

What you can learn from this campaign

  • Get straight to the point. Pending invoices, unpredictable bills — everyday frustrations that every SME is familiar with.
  • Offer a free audit as a way to break up. A report within 48 hours on vulnerabilities, inefficiencies and compliance risks.
  • Focus specifically on finance and legal matters. These sectors have high standards for IT reliability and compliance.
  • Keep the sequence short (4 emails). For Swiss SMEs, simplicity is respected and valued.

When to use this sequence

Managed IT services for SMEs

IT support, managed services, 24/7 monitoring, security — this campaign is aimed at SMEs who are frustrated with their current provider.

Finance and legal sector

Trust companies, law firms, family offices, investment funds — sectors with high IT requirements.

The French-speaking Swiss market

The bilingual (French/English) programme is tailored to Geneva and the Lake Geneva region.

Fixed-price offer

If your pricing model is predictable (a fixed fee), this is a key point of the presentation.

Who can use this sequence?

IT service providers for SMEs

If you provide IT support, IT outsourcing or proactive monitoring.

SDRs aimed at SME leaders

The straightforward tone and practical issues strike a chord with small business owners.

Digital services firms and IT service providers

If you offer managed IT services with transparent pricing.

Providers of IT security solutions for SMEs

Adapt the sequence to suit your IT security package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why just four keys for IT services?

Managers of SMEs in the finance and legal sectors prefer a low-key approach. Too many emails are likely to annoy rather than engage. Four emails sent at appropriate intervals (6–9 days apart) respect their time whilst maintaining a consistent presence. The free audit offered in the final email provides a strong final incentive.

How does the fixed-price option set this offer apart?

For a trust company or law firm, unpredictable IT bills are a major source of frustration. A fixed-price package eliminates this uncertainty and enables accurate budgeting. This is a particularly compelling argument for finance professionals who value predictability.

How can testimonials be used in a short video?

With just four emails, every testimonial counts. Touch #1 features a qualitative testimonial, whilst Touch #2 includes quantified performance metrics. This progression (qualitative → quantitative) builds trust in two stages. Touch #4 offers a free audit for prospects who are still undecided.

Want a customised sequence for your industry?

devlo designs and executes bespoke B2B cold email campaigns. ICP, buying signals, multi-channel sequences — we take care of everything.

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Last updated: March 2026